Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, has died at the age of 78, his family has announced
Beloved actor Sam Neill has passed away at the age of 78, his family has confirmed.
The cherished New Zealand star, best known for his portrayal of Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise, died on Monday, 13th July, in Sydney, Australia.
In an official statement, his family revealed that Neill was surrounded by those closest to him at the time of his death, describing the loss as “sudden and unexpected”.
They further noted that he had remained free of cancer and expressed their gratitude to the medical professionals who had looked after him.
The statement read: “It is with immense sadness that the whānau of Sam Neill share the news of his passing on Monday 13th July, in Sydney Australia.
“Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life.
“The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free. They would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at St Vincent’s Private Hospital for their incredible care.
“More details will be shared later, but for now, on behalf of the family, we ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate this immeasurable loss.”
Neill’s illustrious career spanned more than five decades, cementing his status as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated actors. He shot to international prominence playing palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park, a role he would go on to reprise in both Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominion.
Beyond the dinosaur franchise, Neill featured in a wealth of celebrated films and television productions, among them The Hunt for Red October, The Piano, Event Horizon, Peaky Blinders and The Tudors.
In 2023, Neill disclosed that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, though he subsequently confirmed that his treatment had proved successful and that he had entered remission.
No further details regarding his death have been made public at this stage.
